BiblicalInsights.net

Mankind’s biggest problem is sin.  What is sin?  “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is a transgression of the law” (I John 3:4).  “All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death” (I John 5:17).  “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin” (James 4:17).  Sin is a transgression of God’s law.  It is unrighteousness.  It is failure to do good.  There are at least nine words in the Greek New Testament that describe different aspects of sin.  Let’s consider a definition of each term and an example that illustrates it.  Each word emphasizes our need of a savior.
Sin (Harmartia).  “Missing the Mark”
Sin is a missing of the mark when the mark is God’s will and purpose for our life.  This is the most common word for sin in the New Testament (found 16 times in Rom. 6 and many other places). Whenever king Saul by pride and disobedience failed to do what God commanded him to do, he missed the mark.  Saul failed to obey the command of God to utterly destroy the Amalekites (I Samuel 15).  Saul and the people saved king Agag alive and the best of the livestock (I Sam. 15:9) in direct disobedience to God’s command (I Sam. 15:3).  Saul’s kingdom was taken away from him by the Lord because of his presumptuous sacrifice (I Sam. 13:8-14).  Samuel rebuked him for his disobedience and told him that his kingdom would not continue (I Sam. 13:13-14).
Transgression (Parabasis).
This word means to cross over the line.  It is a deliberate violation of God’s law by stepping over the line that God has drawn.  This sin can only be a sin of commission.  It is a deliberate and defiant disobedience.  It is found in Rom. 4:15 (KJV-transgression).  In Rom. 2:23, we learn that breaking the law dishonors God.  In Gen. 2:17, God gave Adam a clear commandment drawing the line regarding what fruit in the Garden of Eden that he was not to eat.  Adam and Eve were forbidden to eat of the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil.  Later, after being tempted by satan, Eve yielded to the temptation and ate of the forbidden fruit.  Then, she gave some of it to Adam and he did eat thereof.  When they did this, they crossed the line God had drawn.
Lawlessness (Anomia).
Nomos is the Greek word for law.  The prefix “a” negates this word and so we have “without law” or “lawlessness.”  This term is found in I John 3:4 (quoted above).  A good example of this type of sin is found in the lawlessness of Nadab and Abihu (Lev. 10:1-2).  They offered strange fire before the Lord which He commanded them not.  The priests were commanded to get the fire to burn incense from a specific location (Ex. 30:8-9).  These men ignored this restriction and their violation of God’s commandment cost them their lives.
Failure To Hear (Parakoē).
This word is found in Rom. 5:19 and II Cor. 10:6 (KJV-disobedience).  Two different words are found in Heb. 2:2, “transgression and disobedience”).  Transgression is the deliberate breaking of the law of God and disobedience is failure or refusal to hear the law.  In Numbers 22, Baalim refused to hear the word of the Lord and his own donkey rebuked him for it.  Baalim was enticed to disobey God by the wages of iniquity (Num. 22:7; Jude 11).
Trespass (Paraptōma)–Falling Beyond.
This term in found in Gal. 6:1 and is translated in the KJV by the word fault.  The word refers to apostasy.  The idea of falling from grace.  Whenever a person listens to false teaching, he/she falls away from or beyond the teaching of the Holy Spirit.  Paul gives a good example of this in I Cor. 15:12 where he mentions that some among the Corinthian Christians were teaching that there is no resurrection of the dead.  Paul proceeds to show the dire consequences of such a doctrine in the following verses.  Giving heed to false teaching is clearly a falling beyond the word of God and puts us into apostasy which places the soul in peril of damnation.  Such manifests unbelief and unbelief will damn the soul (Mark 16:16).
Ignorance (Agnoēma-not knowing).
In Heb. 9:7, the writer informs us that according to the Mosaical Law, the high priest entered into the Most Holy Place once a year with blood which he offered for himself and for the errors of the people.  This word (errors) is found only once in the New Testament.  It describes sin from the perspective of “ignorance.”  It is ignorance of what should be known.  Knowledge of God’s sacred truth is a safe guard against sinning against Him.  “Thy word have I hid in mine heart that I might not sin against thee” (Psa. 119:11).  In I Tim. 1:13, Paul revealed that, before he became a Christian, he was injurious, a persecutor, and a blasphemer against God.  He says that he did these things “ignorantly” in unbelief.  Luke gives the historical account of this conduct in Acts 7, 8, & 9.  Ignorance leads to unbelief which in turn leads to disobedience.
Failure to Stand (Hēttēma).
Sin always produces loss and defeat (Rom. 11:12; I Cor. 6:7).  In Romans, the KJV has diminishing.  In I Cor., it has fault.  Defeat is the opposite of victory.  If you sin against God, you are a loser.  Yet, most sin because they think they will gain some advantage.  Surely this is part of the deception of sin.  In Luke 22:54-62, Peter denied the Lord three times.  What do you suppose he thought that he would gain by doing this?   Perhaps he was afraid for his life.  But, when he denied the Lord, he lost something of great value–relationship with Jesus Christ.  After Jesus was raised from the dead, this breach of relationship was healed (John 21).
Without Reverence (Asebeia).
The profligate life dishonors God.  Sin manifests itself in a lack of piety towards God or irreverence.  In Rom. 1:18, Titus 2:12, and Jude 15, the KJV translates this word as ungodly or ungodliness.   Rom. 1:18-32 gives a general description of the ungodly by mentioning a list of twenty-three sins in vv. 28-32.  The word shows the attitude or disposition of heart of people who have no respect for God or the things of God.  They do not fear God.  Consequently, they participate in irreligious acts (sin).
Without Justice (Adikia).
Unjust acts directed toward other people constitute sin.  These acts are accomplished because of a scorn for justice and righteousness.  These attitudes and actions violate the law of love for neighbor.  They are iniquitous.  Judas Iscariot’s betrayal of Jesus is described as iniquitous (Acts 1:18).  This word is also found in Luke 16:8 and Rom. 1:18 (the unjust and the unrighteous).  Whenever king Herod murdered the innocent children in Bethlehem and the surrounding areas, he committed a gross act of unjustness (Matt. 2:16-ff).
Sin is multifaceted.  However, all sin dishonors God and challenges His sovereignty over us.  Many sins harm others and mar our own character.  Sin always destroys and damns.  Anyone who sins is a loser.  Hopefully, if you have gained an insight into your own sin, you will see your need of a savior and run to God who reconciles us to Himself by His Son Jesus Christ (II Cor. 5:17-21). Only through faith in Jesus and obedience to His commandments (I John 5:4; Heb. 5:8-9) can we be victorious (I Cor. 15:57).

An interesting and provocative goal for 2023 is soul-care.  What is it?  Soul-care is nurturing the spiritual aspect of our being (our soul) through sacred knowledge of God, Christ and the Holy Spirit and strengthening our fellowship with them through worship, Bible study, character development, and Christian service.
The First Step in Soul-Care
The first step in soul-care is the deliverance of the human soul from the penalty and practice of sin.  The experience of sinful attitudes and actions is universal.  “What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin (Rom. 3:9; Paul proved this in chapters one and two). “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23).  The practice of sin results in the penalty for sin which is spiritual death (Rom. 6:23).  If sin is not forgiven by God, the penalty is eternal punishment.  When we sin against God, our soul is in spiritual peril.  The only remedy is found in and through Jesus Christ.
Obedience to the Gospel
How do we obtain forgiveness of our sins?  This is the most important question that the human heart can ponder.  The first object in soul-care is our salvation from sin and God’s wrath.  “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him” (Rom. 5:8-9).  The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from sin and we are forgiven and freed from the bondage of sin.  When does this occur?
Twice in the New Testament obedience to the gospel is referenced.  However, it is referenced in the negative.  In Rom. 10:16, God’s word declares, “But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:16-17).  The gospel is God’s power unto salvation (Rom. 1:16).  Obedience to the gospel is essential in order to obtain salvation.  The second passage of scripture is found in II Thess. 1:7-10, “And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.”  Unbelief produces disobedience.  The gospel of Christ is the good news of the salvation accomplished through the redemptive work of Jesus.  Every person can avail themselves of this salvation.  The gospel of Christ contains: (1) facts about Jesus–His pre-existence, birth, life, ministry, teaching, miracles, death, burial, resurrection, ascension and coronation (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John); (2) Commands.  All of the commandments of Jesus (Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16);  and (3) promises.  The promises of God relating to salvation and eternal life (Acts 2:39; Titus 1:2).  Certainly, the gospel is “good tidings of great joy” (Luke 2:10).
What are Some of the Commands Jesus Gave?
First, we must hear the word of God (Rom. 10:14).  We must come to know God and His will for our lives.  Faith comes by hearing God’s word (Rom. 10:17).  Knowing the truth and believing the truth are connected.  A person can know the truth and reject it thus manifesting unbelief.  But, you cannot believe if you do not know the truth.  Faith and love for God are connected.  Gal. 5:6, “For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.” Faith is energized by love.  Faith is “taking God at His word.”  Love is the highest motivation for obedience to God’s will.  Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings…” (John 14:23-24).  Just like unbelief produces disobedience, so does lack of love for God.  Jesus also commands us to repent of our sins (Luke 13:3,5).  Repentance is a universal command of the gospel.  “And the times of this ignorance God winked at: but now commanders all men every where to repent” (Acts 17:30).  The gospel requires that people confess that Jesus is Lord.  “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believers unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Rom. 10:9,10).  Confession of Christ is a pre-requisite to baptism.  Jesus said, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:16).  Those who have never obeyed these commands of the gospel will be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of God and from the glory of his might (II Thess. 1:7-9).  If we die in our sins, we die without mercy.  If we die in our sins, we will be raised unforgiven in sin and thus raised to damnation (John 8:24 and 5:28,29).
Other Notable Passages on Obedience
In Rom. 6:16-17, Paul writes by inspiration and says that when we obey from the heart that form of doctrine we are made free from sin.  In Heb. 5:8-9, the sacred writer affirms that Jesus is the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.  Jesus taught in Matt. 28:18-20 that we make disciples by teaching them the whole truth and baptizing them into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  Finally, Peter declares that we purify our souls in obeying the truth (I Pet. 1:21-22).
Blessed Are They That Do His Commandments
A special blessing belongs to those who are obedient to God.  “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city” (Rev. 22:14).  Soul-care begins by obtaining the salvation which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  We must obey the gospel in order to obtain forgiveness of our sins and change our spiritual status before God.  When we obey the gospel, we become the children of God (Gal. 3:26,27).

The Fall of the year brings a new season for football.  People are excited to see their favorite team play and compete to be number one.  Teams are formed through a selection process involving potential players and coaches.  The best players are actively recruited by coaches.  Why?  Coaches want to win and they know that they can win if they have the best players on their team.  The best players generally choose teams with winning records.  How many really good football players do you know who want to play for losing teams?  How many good players want to be losers?  I don’t know of any.
Broaden the concept to include the “game of life.”  How many people do you know who strive to be unsuccessful in life?  If someone said, “My goal in life is to fail at everything I do,” we would be shocked.  Yet, many people have spiritual aims that will lead them to fail spiritually.  They have teamed up with satan to be on the losing team.
Satan has been:  judged, defeated, brought to ruin, and resigned to the lake of fire.  If you join up with him, you will lose your soul and be eternally separated from God.
Satan Has Been Judged
God knows that satan is real and has revealed such in His Holy Word (Gen. 3, Job 1, Matt. 4 (Jesus’ own encounter with satan).  In John 16:7-1, Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit to His disciples.  The Holy Spirit would: (1) Be involved in a teaching ministry, John 14:26); (2) Be involved in a reminding ministry, John 16:26; (3) Be involved in a testifying ministry, John 14:26; (4) Be involved in a convicting ministry, John 16:8; (5) Be involved in a convincing ministry, John 16:8,10; and (6) Be involved in a judging ministry, John 16:11.  “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will. not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.  And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.”  Satan is the prince of this world.  He is the master deceiver.  But, the truth revealed by the Holy Spirit will counter every lie and provide the means of setting people free from the servitude to sin (John 8:32).   Truth provides the righteous standard for all judgment by God.  The Word of God is truth (John 17:17). Judgment is God’s justice administered to each person and is based upon their words and works and how they compare to His righteous standard.  The judgment of God against satan is utter condemnation.
Satan Has Been Defeated
Jesus declared in John 12:31, “Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” When Jesus died upon the cross, He provided the means of removing the sting of death which is sin.  He provides for atonement for sin thereby making it possible for sin to be forgiven.  This effectively overcomes the power of sin (Heb. 2:14).  Jesus destroys him who had the power of death.  Jesus was raised from the dead on the third day after His crucifixion.  He conquers both sin and death.  He destroys him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.  Satan cannot win over the power of God.  Christians are more than conquerors through Him that loved us (Rom. 8:37).  With God on our side, we cannot lose.
Satan Has Been Brought To Ruin
In I John 3:8, we read, “He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning.  For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.”  Those who sin join satan’s team.  However, satan’s works have been brought to ruin.  His works, such as temptations through lies, have been exposed through the example, teaching and the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.  Those who name the name of Christ and depart from iniquity enter into oneness with Christ and will succeed in obtaining the crown of righteousness.
Satan Has Been Resigned to the Lake of Fire
In Rev. 20:10, the sacred text says, “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.”  The lake of fire and brimstone is another description for hell.  Satan’s destiny is an eternal hell.  In Rev. 20:15 we find out the fate of those who team up with satan, “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”  Those who team up with satan will be punished eternally along with him.  Why would anyone team up with satan only to join a losing team and be utterly damned to an eternal hell?  Don’t join a losing team!

Have you ever heard someone say, “It doesn’t matter what you believe as long as you’re sincere?”  This expression affirms self-righteousness.  It rejects God’s righteousness (Rom. 1:16-17).  God’s righteousness is the way God makes men righteous through the gospel of Christ.  If we reject God’s way of making men righteous, then, we are left with some form of self-righteousness.  Self-righteousness cannot save.
Self-Righteousness Fails to Obtain the Goal of Salvation
Consider Romans 10:1-3.  Paul addresses the brethren at Rome.  New Testament Christians constitute the true spiritual Israel.  Paul addresses, “Israel” which refers to physical Israel or Paul’s own countrymen (Paul was a Jew, but He had become a Christian (Acts 9).  Paul’s desire or his heartfelt longing was for them to be saved.  Paul’s prayer was also for their salvation.  The greatest expression of love for another person is to desire, work and pray for his/her salvation.  This indicates that Paul did not believe that many of his own countrymen were saved.  They were “under the Law of Moses” but, they were not saved.  The law (covenant) had changed when Jesus died on the cross (Col. 2:14, Rom. 7:1-4).  Salvation is in Christ and results when one follows Jesus not Moses.
They were zealous and sincere, but, they were not saved.  When Paul persecuted the Lord’s church, he was zealous for the Law of Moses and sincere (lived in all good conscience, Acts 23:1).  Later, he admits that he was in ignorance and unbelief when he persecuted the Lord’s church and was injurious and blasphemed (I Tim. 1:13-14).  Ignorance, unbelief, and disobedience to God adds up to being eternally lost rather than saved.  Paul was acting self-righteously when he rejected God’s righteousness.  The phrase, “it doesn’t matter what you believe as long as you are sincere” is a false concept and must be rejected.
The Righteousness of God
Jesus Christ is the end (aim) of the law of Moses.  Jesus fulfills the law (Matt. 5:17).  When the law changed from the Mosaical law to the Law of Christ, the details of how God makes men righteous also changed.  Under the Law of Moses, thousands upon thousands of animal sacrifices were made and none of them provided for absolute atonement for sin (Heb. 10:4).  The blood of bulls and goats could not take away sin.  Under the law of Christ, we have absolute atonement (forgiveness of sin) through the power of the blood of Christ (Eph. 1:7; I Pet. 1:18-19).  Through the blood of Jesus was have justification.  To be justified is to be pronounced not guilty and so we stand before God as if we have never sinned.  We are justified by faith in Christ Jesus (Rom. 5:1) when we obey the commands the Lord has given to us in the gospel (Rom. 10:16).  God’s word was nigh unto Paul’s countrymen.  It was in their ears and hearts through the preaching of the gospel.  But, it was not mixed with faith in those who heard it (Rom. 10:6-8; 16-17).  If they would confess the Lord Jesus and believe in their heart that God had raised Him from the dead, they could be saved (Rom. 10:9-10).  This confession is a verbal statement of the faith that is in the heart.  When faith is absent, no confession is made and the result is a lost condition.  Faith, confession and baptism (Rom. 6:3-4) are involved in the salvation of the human soul under the law of Christ.  The gospel was and is a universal message that all people must hear and obey (Rom. 10:13).  Calling on the name of the Lord is illustrated in Paul’s own obedience.  Paul’s sins were washed away in baptism (Acts 22:16).  “And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”  Paul’s desire for his countrymen was that they would obey the gospel just as he had done and be saved from past sins.  This is God’s righteousness as it is revealed in the law of Christ.
All people are saved in the same way.  They are saved by faith in Jesus Christ.  They are saved by loving God supremely (Mark 12:29-31).  They are saved by repenting of all sin and making the great confession that Jesus is God’s Son.  Finally, they are saved by being baptized into Christ.  When they undergo the New Birth (John 3:3-5), they become the children of God.  The New Testament redefines what constitutes a child of God (Gal. 3:26-29).  The righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel of Christ.  By following Jesus and His teaching, we can be saved.  If we reject God’s righteousness, we are left with some form of self-righteousness which cannot save.

The Sermon on the Mount includes the prayer that Jesus taught to His disciples (Matthew 6:9-13).  The prayer contains sixty-six words (KJV).  But, it includes all of the essential elements of a prayer:  address, body, and closing.  We now pray through Jesus’ name because He is our mediator and intercessor (John 16:26; I Tim. 2:5; Rom. 8:34).
The prayer includes the phrase, “Deliver us from evil.”  The petition involves satan exposed, countered and defeated.
Satan Exposed
The word of God exposes satan as the enemy of every human being.  I Pet. 5:8, “Be sober, be vigilant: because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”  Satan is a destroyer (Rev. 9:11).  He is a deceiver.  John 8:44, “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do.  He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him.  When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.”  Satan is a tempter.  He tempts us to bring us to condemnation before God.  “Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.  And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.  And when the tempter came to him, he said If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread” (Matt. 4:1-3).  Paul declares that we are not ignorant of his devices (II Cor. 2:11).  Through the truth of God’s word, we are informed about our enemy and so can prepare to overcome him.
Satan Countered
Jesus is our example in overcoming temptation (Matt. 4:1-11).  Jesus met each of the temptations presented to Him by satan with the word of God.  Knowledge of God’s word is indispensable in refuting the lies (temptations) of satan.  A firm commitment to the truth is also necessary.  Jesus was determined to maintain virtue of heart and soul.  Jesus also exercised spiritual discernment (righteous judgment) in order to differentiate between truth and error.  Jesus resisted satan and satan fled from Him.  Paul states that with every temptation there is a way of escape (I Cor. 10:13).  “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape.”  In I Tim. 6:11-12, Paul gives three was to escape any temptation.  First, we may flee.  Joseph did this to escape from Potipher’s wife (Gen. 39:7-12).  Second, we my follow after Jesus.  Pursuit of righteousness is a sure way to defeat temptation.  Third, we may fight (contend earnestly for the faith).  This may involve reproof (Eph. 5:11), defense of truth (Phil. 1:17), instruction in righteousness (II Tim. 3:16-17). Through following God’s Word and the example of Jesus we can be delivered from evil.
Satan Defeated
The ultimate defeat of satan occurred when Jesus died on the cross. “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil” (Heb. 2:14).  “He that committed sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil” (I John 3:8). Satan’s work involves bringing  people to condemnation before God by tempting them to transgress God’s precepts.  When they sin against God, they die spiritually.  Sin and death are conquered by Jesus Christ in His death and resurrection.  He makes reconciliation to God possible by the atoning power of His blood.  When we are forgiven by God, we are delivered from evil.  Through the Lord Jesus Christ, we can overcome satan and live victoriously!  Forgiveness of sins is contingent upon our willingness to obey the commands of Christ given in the gospel (Luke 24:47; Acts 2:38).  These commands are to repent of our sins and be baptized into Christ for the remission of sins.  Obedience must be from the heart (Rom. 6:16-17) and so must be executed in faith and love for the Lord.  “Being made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness (Rom. 6:18).  Yes, delivered from evil.

Paul writes, “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us:  for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree. That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith” (Gal. 3:13-14).
The Curse
“Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree” is a quotation from Deuteronomy 21:23.  Moses wrote, “And if a man have committed a sin worthy of death, and he be to be put to death, and thou hang him on a tree: His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day: (for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) that thy land be not defied, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance” (Deut. 21:22-23).  The rebellious son was to be stoned (Deut. 21:18-21), but, if the one who had committed sin worthy of death were hanged on a tree, he is especially loathed.  Thus the saying attached to the Jewish mind a particular loathing to the person so condemned.  Death by stoning was the most common way that the Jews carried out capital punishment.  However, there were a few instances, where they would hang a condemned person on a tree.  These rarer cases, brought with them an intense feeling of reprehension and aversion.  When the Jews cried out for Jesus to be crucified, they were intending to brand Him with contempt which would achieve an intensity so great that no man would ever desire to confess Him!
The Blessing
When Jesus died on the cross (tree), He bore our sins and suffered the reproach and the penalty that rightly belongs to each of us.  We are guilty of sin.  Jesus never sinned!  However, “…he made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (II Cor. 5:21).  When Jesus died on the cross, He shed His blood and made atonement for sin.  Thus, He became a substitutionary sacrifice to secure atonement for our sins.  Through the power of His blood, we can be forgiven of sins.  In His death, Jesus accomplished the blessing of Abraham.  Now, through Christ, all nations of the world will be blessed (Gen. 22:18; Gal. 3:16). Jesus is the promised seed of Abraham and He is the Messiah (deliverer).  All people have their hope in Him because only in Him can we be redeemed.  Through Jesus Christ, we can become the children of God.  “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.  For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.  There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.  And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Gal. 3:26-29).  A prerequisite to baptism is that we confess with our mouth the Lord Jesus.  “But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Rom. 10:8-10).  Thus, every person who becomes a New Testament Christian confesses Jesus Christ and thwarts the intent of the unbelieving Jews who had Him crucified by shouting, “Crucify him, crucify him.”  The blessing of Abraham arises out of the curse!  All who would be saved from the wrath of God gladly confess Him as their Savior and Lord.

Undesigned coincidences are a part of the overall argument for the inspiration and veracity of the Scriptures. They are an internal proof. Lydia McGrew has revived this argument from undesigned coincidences in her book Hidden in Plain View.  McGrew draws upon the past works of: William Paley, Horae Paulinae, John Blunt, Undesigned Coincidences, J. S. Howson, Studies in the Life of St. Peter; T. R. Birks, Horae Apostolicae, T. R. Birks, Horae Evangelicae; Stephen Jenner, The Three Witnesses; and James McDonald, The Life and Writings of St. John.
An undesigned coincidence is: “a notable connection between two or more accounts or texts that doesn’t seem to have been planned by the person or people giving the accounts.  Despite their apparent independence, the items fit together like pieces of a puzzle” (McGrew, p. 12).  An undesigned coincidence is a coincidence, it is not contrived and it appears undesigned in that the authors did not collude in the details of the accounts.  All undesigned coincidences in the Bible show that there is really only One Author of the Bible and that is, God (II Tim. 3:16).  Undesigned coincidences are a way of expressing intertextuality, that is, the Scriptures interconnect and so we say that Scripture is the best interpreter of Scripture.  Intertextuality demonstrates the integrity of the Scriptures and refutes the notion that Scripture contradicts itself.  Undesigned coincidences refute modernism which denies the inspiration of the Scriptures and they refute the notion that the Scriptures are fictional or mythical tales.  The details of Scripture are flawlessly harmonized and depict historical reality rather than myth.
In this study, we will consider the sayings of Jesus and Peter regarding the defilement in eating meats.
The Parable On Defilement
In Mark 7:15, Jesus said, “There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.”  These words were spoken by Jesus at Capernaum.  The Lord had come back from across the Sea of Galilee; and certain Pharisees, with some scribes from Jerusalem, visited Him, and found fault with His disciples for eating with unwashed hands.  This led Jesus to rebuke their hypocrisy by exposing that religion that consists of the observance of externals to the exclusion of internals.  Jesus then addressed the crowd and told them to hearken unto Him and understand.  “If any man hath ears to hear, let him hear.”
The Connection With Peter
Consider both Matthew 15:1-20 and Mark 7:1-23.  Both Matthew and Mark tell us the disciples afterward asked the meaning of the parable.  Mark 7:17 tells us that this conversation took place in the home of Simon and Andrew.  Peter asked the Lord to tell what the parable meant (Matt. 15:15).  Peter, as usual, was ready with his words and seems honestly eager for instruction.  Jesus said that what goes into a man’s mouth merely follows the physical laws and has no necessary effect on his character.  He further taught that evil thoughts and foul desires which come from the heart do defile morally and spiritually.  Only Mark adds the thought, “This he said, cleansing all meats,” (Mark 7:19).  Jesus taught that eating with unwashed hands does not defile a person.  In addition, he taught that all meats were clean (this would set aside Jewish dietary laws).  This actually did not take place until the Law of Moses was abrogated and a New Covenant was put into force at the death of Jesus (Col. 2:14) and the Law of Christ was probated by the apostles on the Day of Pentecost (Heb. 9:15-17).
Peter’s Vision in Acts 10
Now, let us move forward to the vision of Peter recorded in Acts 10.  Peter was in Joppa.  He went up on the housetop to pray about noon.  He became very hungry and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance.  He saw heaven open and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners and let down to the earth.  In the sheet were all manner of four footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.  A voice commanded, “Rise, Peter, kill, and eat.”  But Peter said, “no Lord, for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.”  The voice spake to him a second time, “What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.” This was done three times and the vessel was received up again into heaven.  While Peter doubted in himself what the vision meant, three men sent from Cornelius in Caesarea to Joppa were at the gate of the house where Peter was staying.  In this text we have a lexical coincidence.  The same Greek word, katharizō found in Acts 10:15 was also used by Mark in Mark 7:19. Peter was instructed by an angel to go with the men from Cornelius to Caesarea “nothing doubting” (Acts 10:20).  Peter instructs Cornelius and his household in the gospel of Christ.  Cornelius and his household were Gentiles and this is the first time that the Gentiles were afforded the opportunity to hear the gospel of Christ, believe it and obey it and become New Testament Christians.  Peter’s words spoken later indicate that he understood the meaning of the vision which occurred at Joppa. “Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth, I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him” (Acts 10:34-35).  In Capernaum, Jesus rebuked His disciples for not understanding His words (Matt. 15:16-17).  Now, in Caesarea, Peter understands fully.  Jesus cleansed all meats (Mark 7:19).  Peter learns, “What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common,” (Acts 10:15).  The cleansing of meats removed a barrier between Jew and Gentile (established by the Law of Moses) that would indicate the universal intent of God to save all men through the gospel of Jesus Christ.  “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth;  to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”  The change in the dietary laws marked a change in the covenants.  The New Covenant, the gospel of Christ, would be a universal law intended by God to free all people from the tyranny of sin (Matt. 28:18-20).
This link of connection between Capernaum and Caesarea, between a parable, at first obscure, and the broad import of the universal teaching of the gospel, is full of interest and deserves careful attention and thought.